There are only six days to go until the CasinoBeats Summit heads to Olympia, and we’ve been catching up with our sponsors for the event to find out what they’re most looking forward to.
In a chat with Lars Kollind, Business Development Manager at Playson, he explained that it’s the high-level discussions at the #CasinoBeatsSummit that makes the event a must-attend.
He also told us about how Playson has been expanding into additional regulated markets, and that it will be the rise of in-game jackpots and 24 hour drops that will continue to grab the attention of the industry.
What are you looking forward to at CasinoBeats Summit?
This is the first major show sponsorship for Playson, so we are understandably thrilled to be attending the CasinoBeats Summit.
With such an exciting programme of events and a varied selection of influential, visionary speakers, the 2nd edition of the Summit has something relevant and interesting for every attendee. ‘The Search for Innovation in Gaming’ talk at which I am speaking is also something I am looking forward to. Sharing a stage with first class speakers is the perfect forum in which to have an open and educated discussion, and I hope attendees get as much out of the event as I will.
Showcasing the Playson brand and networking with current and potential future business partners is what I’m really looking forward to. As a company, Playson has grown so much in the last two years and I’m excited to be able to use a forum such as CasinoBeats to engage with peers and tell them exactly where Playson is and where the company is heading.
What are you promoting at CasinoBeats Summit?
The CasinoBeats Summit presents us with a fantastic opportunity to showcase our range of slots and update delegates on the markets that we are now live with. The company has been very busy, both in relation to commercial expansion and on our games development side, in recent months.
Not only have we been moving strategically into new regulated markets such as Romania, Bulgaria and Latvia, our slot development team has significantly upgraded the quality of our games.
We have seen the release of innovative new slots such as Solar Queen and Crystal Crush plus new additions to our classic ‘Imperial Fruits’ series. All these new releases have run alongside our hugely popular cash giveaway tournaments such as Playson’s Lucky 7s and All Hail the Solar Queen.
What industry innovation will capture the most attention in 2019?
The rise of in-game jackpots and 24 hour drops have helped to raise engagement levels and attract new players.
Any product innovation that gives quick winning results and promises to give its prizes away by a specific time, is always going to be thrilling. The knowledge that anyone not only could, but has to become a big prize winner, in a short time frame, is a captivating concept for both new and old players alike.
Which casino operator has impressed you the most in 2019?
I must say I’ve been very impressed by our partner, online casino, Videoslots. They launched the industry’s first mobile split screen features. This move has helped boost the brand’s reputation as an innovator.
The newly released and groundbreaking feature enables users to play two games simultaneously. Available on both iOS and Android, it is perfectly designed to be used smoothly on both phones and tablet. I believe it truly emphasises and enhances the player experience.
What casino partnership has stood out in the past 12 months?
There’s been so much commercial activity over the last year, but the one deal that really stands out is Eldorado Resorts and Caesars Entertainment agreeing a cash and stock merger.
The $17.3bn deal has created the largest owner and operator of US gaming assets with the joint company’s EBITDA becoming the largest in the market, at $3.6bn.
This overshadows MGM Resorts International who are second largest with $2.5bn and Penn National Gaming on $1.2bn. It was just such a hugely influential deal it really stood head and shoulders above the many other sizeable commercial deals this year.
If you could attend one sporting event, what would it be?
It would have to be the Monaco Grand Prix – it has such a prestigious heritage. The sport’s most talented drivers hurtling passed stunning yachts on Monaco Harbour with the beautiful palace in the background – everything about the event is infused with luxury. I’m a huge fan of Formula 1 with its combination of fearlessness and technical proficiency, to me it is the king of sports. The Monaco Grand Prix just has something that transcends Formula 1 and other big sporting events.
Which parts of the conference agenda have caught your eye?
There are so many brilliant opportunities to take advantage of at this year’s summit with such a wealth and depth of relevant speakers at this year’s event. Every topic on the agenda is pertinent but, two that stand out are the ‘Future of Gaming’ (18th September) and the ‘Safer Gaming Forum’.
What has really impressed me is the number and size of the networking events the summit has this year. It’s such a fantastic opportunity to meet a first-class range of informative attendees. With numerous networking and awards events, I’m looking to take full advantage of these opportunities to explain where Playson is as a company and its exciting plans for the future.
The CasinoBeats Summit takes place on 17–20 September at Olympia London. The second edition of the Summit will bring together hundreds of operators, suppliers and a range of sector visionaries to consider the challenges facing the casino gaming sector. To join 30 exhibitors, more than 100 speakers and up to 1,000 delegates at the Summit, please visit the event website.